The hero who confronted rioting thugs as they set fire to wheelie bins died early this morning.

His sister was on her way to visit him after the pair had drifted apart 30 years ago.

Richard Mannington Bowes, 68, became a symbol of resistance after yobs attacked him and police had to fight off a 100-strong mob to help him.

He was yesterday hailed as an "old school gent" by neighbours.

He had been in a coma with serious head injuries after the incident in Ealing, West London.

Det Chief Insp John McFarlane of the Met Police said officers were stopped from tending to Mr Bowes as a mob of thugs threw bottles, bricks and stones.

An ambulance took 30 minutes to get through the mayhem.

Yesterday police tracked down Mr Bowes's sister after no one reported him missing.

Ann Wilderspin, 73, from Derbyshire, said: "I'm very sad to see him like this, but in one way I'm very pleased we could make contact again." It is not known if she reached him before he died.

Retired Mr Bowes, who lived alone in a flat, often confronted people for anti-social behaviour. Ten years ago he was arrested and fined after remonstrating with yobs for urinating outside his home. One neighbour said: "He was incredibly embarrassed, but was doing the right thing.

"He was very polite and very well spoken. He wouldn't hurt a fly. Mr Bowes was very old school and had very traditional, oldfashioned values that are sorely lacking in many today."

London mayor Boris Johnson said: "What a hero he is. He's an example to everyone." A murder investigation is now under way.